When TV veteran Terrence "TC" Carson wields a lightsaber as Mace Windu in Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV series he means business. Carson is well known for his role as the snobby Kyle Barker in the hit sitcom Living Single, but he's also lent his voice to a variety of video game characters in such titles as Star Trek: Klingon Academy, EverQuest II, God of War and Afro Samurai.
StarWars.com chats with Carson about his voice work as Mace Windu in The Clone Wars, his Star Wars fandom, and if Mace could take the Sword Master from Afro Samurai in a duel.
What drew you to the role of Mace Windu in Star Wars video games as well as The Clone Wars series?
It was a chance to be a part of something that I have watched for years, and you can't find any better shoes to fill than Sam Jackson's! He did such a great job in the last movie that it was an honor to be asked.
What is it about Mace that makes him such an interesting character to play?
He's strong, he's confident, he's a warrior and he's well-versed in the Jedi ways -- and he's a brother! Come on what more can I ask for?
Are you a big Star Wars fan?
Yes I am! I love Star Wars because it transports you into another world so completely. The sets, the creatures, the costumes, and the languages all work together with the stories to take you on a wonderful journey. This is a world only George Lucas could have thought of.
How has working on The Clone Wars been a different experience than some of your other voice over work?
When I tape most voice-over it's usually just me in the booth working one on one with the director, however when we tape for Clone Wars usually we're all in the room together which makes for a different read. You get to play off and with the other actors in real time which makes the dialogue much more authentic. Plus you get the chance to be in the room with some of the most accomplished and talented voices in the industry, so I always learn something new during the session.
What are some of the benefits of voice acting as opposed to on-camera acting?
No wardrobe, no makeup, no sitting for hours while they get the lights right, no repeating a scene for the two-shot or 20th close up! We come in, joke around a little, do the scene and go home. Cha-ching!
Who would win in a duel -- Mace Windu or the Sword Master in Afro Samurai?
I'll say this, the Sword Master has mad skills but Mace has the Force so he may have the upper hand in the end but you can bet it would be a battle royale.
